Sealing method and mechanism for containers



Aug. 7,1928.

J. VAN BUREN SEALING METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTAINERS i "min Filed Nov. 5, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I MQWWMW- 11 INV NTOR John anBwrm BY gmmax ATTORNE S.

Aug. 7, 1928.

J. VAN BUREN SEALING METHOD AND MEQHANISM FOR CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed Nov. 5, 1926 g INVENTOR John UanBu/mn mm .w N wmwow war W g], I'll k 85 Aug. 7, 1928.

J. VAN BUREN SEALING IETHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l i i 11; wwax -92 E H 44 114 IZ i *i ii i 15 I lNVENTOR "I John UanBwwn BY W V I 1 l Md! #4! Z0 50 10 50 K ATTORNEY Aug. 7, 1928.

1,679,591 J. VAN -BUREN SEALING METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 5, 1926 4 Shets-Sheet 4 l G w 105 1o I aila dim-f ATTOR Y8 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN VAN RUBEN, 01' BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

mnmo mnon AND 1'03 CONTAINERS- Applioation fled November 5, 1926. Serial No. 148,427.

This'invention relates to sealing mechanism for containers and to a method of sealing containers.

One of the most diflicult problems in handling greasy or oily substances in cans or containers having removable covers, 1s to prevent the substance from leaking out of the can around the cover and to prevent air from leaking in thereby causing the substance to deteriorate. The usual method of procedure is to place the cover on the cover end of the can or container, then place the substance in the can and permanently close the other end of the container.

It has been found that an efiective seal around the cover can be obtained by crimping the cover or forcing the cover over a liner of cellophane or thin transparent material in the nature of paper. This material is, however, very.diflicult to handle as it.

tears and curls very easily.

This invention has for its salient object to provide means. for applying material, such as that s ecified, to cans or containers.

Another ob]ect of the invention is to provide cutting mechanism for cutting the material to fit the cans or containers after it has been fed in a strip over the topof the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and inexpensive method of sealing containers or cans.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification, taken in connection with. the drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 is a transverse, sectional elevation taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the cutlting mechanism and associated parts; an

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on lines 6-6 of Fig. 1.

The invention briefly described consists of mechanism for supporting and feeding a plurality of tubular containers, means for feeding and securing an elongated strip of material along the tops of the containers and means for severing this material at each side of each container. In the particular form of the invention shown, viscous material, such as a lubricant or grease coating, is applied to the tops of the containers and the strip of material is pressed against the tops. The cutting mechanism operates intermittently and cuts the strip at each side of each container, thus leaving a substantially circular disk of the transparent material secured to the top of each container. The covers are then crimped around the upper edges of the cans or containers crimping the disk and forming a tight seal. Further details of the invention will appear from the following description.

Gan sapporting and feeding mechanism.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, the supporting and feeding mechanism is carried by supportin standards 10 and 11 which are connected by cross bars 12. The cans 13 are supported on three longitudinally extending supporting rails or bars 14, 15 and 16, these rails being spaced apart to provide longitudinal slots or openings 17 therebetween for a purpose hereinafter described.

The cans are fed by means of an endless chain consisting of a plurality of links 20 and mounted on sprockets 21 and 22. Cermin of the links 20 are extended upwardly or have formed thereon lugs 23 to which are secured upwardly extending pins 24 and 25 which are adapted to engage and feed the cans, these pins extending upward- 1 through the slots 17 as shown in F 1g. 5.

he link pins are extended beyond the links as shown at 31 and 32 and have mounted thereon rollers 34 and 35 which ride on tracks 36 and 37 carried by the cross bars 12. Since the rollers 34 and 35 run on the tracks 36 and 37, the chain will be supported by the tracks. Elongated strips 38 and 39 are supported above the tracks by spacers 40 and 41.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that as the sprockets are rotated, the chain and the pins carried thereby will feed the cans along the rails 14, 15 and 16.

Lubn'camt appkz ing meoha/nxism The lubricant or grease, such as Vaseline, is applied to the tops of the cans or containers in the following manner. The vaseline or other suitable lubricant is placed in a receptacle secured by screws 51 at one end and supported on set screws 52 at the other end, the screws 52 engaging beneath lugs 53. A roller 54 dips into the lubricant 55 and transfers the material to-a roller 56 geared to the roller 54. Roller 56 in turn transfers the lubricant to a roller 57 which is positioned as shown in Fig. 2 to engage the tops 58 of the cans 13 as they are fed along the rails by the eham.

Ship feeding meclmuZs-na The elongated strip of cellophane or transparent material is contained an a supply roll 60 mounted in supports 61 and from the roll extends between eeding rollers 62 and 63 by means of which it is fed downwardly to the tops of the cans. The feed roll 62 is driven by a sprocket and chain connection from an idler shaft 65 which is geared to the shaft 66 of the sprocket 21. The shaft 70 of the feed roll 62 is also connected by a sprocket and chain connection to drive the shaft 71 of the roll 57.

As the strip of material is fed between the rolls 62 and 63, it passes downwardly and is pressed by the roll 62 against the to s of the cans as they are fed beneath this r0 1.

Cutting mechanism The elongated strip of material is cut at each side of each container so that a substantially circular disk of material is laced across the top of each container. This cutting mechamsm operates intermittentl and during the feeding action of the chain on the cans. The cuttin mechanism comprises a pair of stationary ves and 81 adjustably mounted as shown at 82 on supports 83. These knives, as will be seen from the showing in Fig. 4, are disposed above the path of the elongated strip of material. The knives, as clear y illustrated in Fig. 5, are curved longitudinally and extend across the strip, the central portions 85 and 86 being dlsposed adjacent to but spaced from each other and the end rtions as shown at 87 and 88 curving or war g away from each other. It Wlll be noteft hat the curvature of the knives 80 and 81 conforms substantially to the curvature of the cans.

The cutting mechanism also com rises two sets of blades adapted to coact wit the stationary knives 80 and 81. These two sets are mounted at of the elon ated strip on shafts 90 and 91. The set of Tflades mounted on the shaft 90 consists of a (pair of blades 92, 93, each blade bein secure at one end to the shaft and the blades convergin from their secured ends to their free en s. In a similar manner, blades and 96 are secured to the shaft 91.

The blades 92, 93, 95 and 96 are preferably the longitudinal edges formed of resilient material and mounted as to coact with the stationary knives 80 and 81 and to have a shearing the strip during their cutting operation in the following manner.

Shafts 90 and 91 have secured thereto bevel gears 100 and 101 which mesh with gears 102, 103 carried by a shaft 104. The shaft 104 has a ear'105 mounted thereon which meshes wit the gear 106 carried by a shaft 107. The shaft 107 has 8. Geneva wheel 108 secured thereto which is driven by a pin 109 carried by a shaft 110 geared as shown at 111 to the shaft 7 O of the feed roll 62.

From the fore oing description it will be seen that. the bla 95 and 96 will be rotated about the shafts 90 and 91 inwardly and upwardly with reference to the strip of material, thus coacting with the knives 80 and 81 in shearing or cuttin the strip. In Fig. 5' it will be seen t at a disk 112 has been secured to the top of the right hand can, that the cutting mechanism is completing the cutting of the disk 113 for the second can from the right, and that the cutting mechanism is cuttin the right hand side of the material .whic covers the can 114.

In order to secure the strip against movement during the cutting operation, means is provided for pressing the stri against the tops of the two cans between w ich the strip is out. This means consists of presser feet and 121 carried b posts or spindles'122, 123 slidably mounte 1n supports 83. The posts 122, 123 have heads 124, 125 at their upper ends and reduced extensions 126, 127 a ve the Heads. Springs 128 and 129 enga the heads and normally hold the heads an pressure feet in inoperative or elevated position. The heads are engaged by ends 130, 131 of levers 132 and 133 which are actuated by cams 134 and 135 carried by the knife operating shaft 92.

Thus, when the movable knives are actuated to cut the strip, the stri will be held ifigainst the tops of the cans y the presser set.

It will be clear that simple, practical mechanism and a simple and practical methodhas been provided for supporting and feeding a plurality of tubular containers for securing an elongated strip of cellophane or like material to the tops of the containers and for severing the strip in a manner to leave a disk of the material positioned on the top of the can.

After the cellophane disks have been apare so cs 92 and 93 and the blades for applying viscous plied to the tops of the cans in the manner s ecified, the cans are placed in another mac line and the covers are secured to the tops and the cellophane is crimped around t e upper edge of the cans with the cover. The cellophane thus forms a lining and seal between the can covers and the contents of the cans. The lubricant fprevents the cellophane strip from curling, acilitates the cum mg operation and prevents the cellophane r om cracking or breaking during the crimping operation.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention has been particularl shown and described, it will be understoo that the invention is capable of modification and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means for applying lubricant to one end. of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, and means movable toward the longitudinal center of the sheet from the longitudinal edges thereof for severing said sheet at each side of each container.

2. In combination, means for supporting and feeding aplurality of containers, means material to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, and rotatable means for severing said sheet at each side of each container.

3. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers,means for applying lubricant to one end of each container, means for feedin an elongated strip of material across sai ends and into engagement therewith, and rotatable means movable toward the longitudinal center of the sheet from the longitudinal edges thereof for severing said sheet at each side of 'each container.

4. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means for applying viscous material to one end of each conta'ner, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, curved station- 'ary knives positioned above the strip of material and movable knives at the edges of the material adapted to swing between adjacent containers and coact with said stationary knives to sever the strip between ad acent containers.

5. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means for applying lubricant to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated 'strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, curved stationary knives pos'tioned above the strip of material and curved flexible knives rotatably mounted at the edges of the material adapted to swinlgl between adjacent containers and coact wit said stationary knives to sever the strip between adjaccnt containers.

6. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a lurality of containers, means for applying ubricant to one end of each COIltBAIlGI', means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, a pair of longitudinally curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent tobut spaced from each other and having their ends diverging from each other and rotatable knives movable between adjacent containers and between said stationary knives and adapted to coact with the stationary knives in shearing relation with respect thereto.

7. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of tubular containers, means for applying viscous material to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, a pair of longitudinally curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent to but spaced from each other and having their ends diverging from each other and rotatable, resilient knives movable between adjacent containers and between said stationary knives and adapted to coact with the stationary knives in shearing relation with respect thereto.

8. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of tubular containers, means for applying viscous material to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across sald ends and into engagement therewith, a air of longitudinally curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent to but spaced from each other and having their ends diverging from each other and a pair of rotatable knife blades at each edge of the strip movable into coacting relation with said stationary knives and adapted to sever the strip between adjacent containers.

9. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers. means for applying grease to one end of each eontainer, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, a pair of longitudinally curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central tionary knives and adapted to sever the strip tween adjacent tween adjacent containers.

10. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means for applying grease to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, a pair of longitudinally curved stationary knlves disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent to but s aced from each other and having their en s diverging from each other and a pair of blades at each ed e of the strip movable into coacting relation with said stationary knives and adapted to sever the strip be- -containers, said rotatable blades at each edge of the strip converging toward each other from the axis of rotation thereof.

11. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of tubular eontainare, means for applying grease to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into en agement therewith, a pair of longitudinall curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent to but spaced from each other and having their ends diverging from each other, a rotatable shaft at each edge of the strip, a pair of knife blades secured to each shaft, the blades of each pair having free ends converging toward each other and means for rotating said shafts and moving said blades into coacting relation with said stationary knives.

12. In combination meansfor supporting and feeding a plurality of tubular containers, means for applying grease to one end of each container, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and mto en gement therewith, a pair of longitudinalI; curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent to but spaced from each other and having their ends diverging from each other, a rotatable shaft at each edge of the strip, a pair of knife blades secared to each shaft, the blades of each pair having free ends converging toward each other and means for intermittently rotating said shafts and moving said blades upwardly into coacting relation with said station ary knives.

rotatable knife kn 13. In combination, means for an portmg' and feeding a plurality of tub r containers, means for applying to one end of each container, means or feeding an elongated strip of material across said ends and into engagement therewith, a pair of longitudinally curved stationary knives disposed above and extending across the strip of material, said knives having their central portions disposed adjacent to but aced from each other and having their en diverging from each other anda air of rotatable knife blades ateach e go of the stripmovable into coacting relation to said stationary knives and adapted to sever the strip between adjacent containers, the knife blades of each pair being dimensioned to extend substantially to the longitudinal center of the strip when the blades are in coacting relation with respect to the stationary ives.

14. In combination, means for feeding a plurality of containers, means for feeding an elongated flat strip of material in a direction of feed of the containers and across the ends of the containers, and means including stationary knives and coacting blades movable between adjacent containers for severing said material at each side of each container.

15. In combination, means for feeding a plurality of containers, means for feeding an elongated flat strip of material in a. direction of feed of the containers and across the ends of including stationary knives mounted above said strip and coacting blades movable between adjacent containers for severing said material at each side of each container.

16. In combination, means for fee an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, :1 pair of stationary knives supported above and extending across said strip and a pair of blades movable upwardly into coacting shearing relation with each stationary knife and adapted to sever said strip.

17. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, 9. pair of stationary knives supported above and extending across said strip and a pair of resilient blades movable upwardly into coacting shearing relation with each stationary knife and adapted to sever said strip.

18. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, :1. pair of stationary knives supported above and extending-across said strip and a pair of blades movable upwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the strip into coactin shearing relation with eachstationary knife and adapted to sever said strip.

19. In combination, means for feeding an the containers, and means elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of tubular containers, a pair of stationary knives supported above and extendin across said strip and a pair of resilient Iflades movable upwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the strip into coacting shearing relation with each stationary knife and adapted to sever said strip.

20. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of tubular containers, a pair of stationary knives supported above and withfeach stationary knife and a apted 'to sever said strip.

22. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of tubular containers, a pair of stationary knives supported above and extending across said strl and a blades movable upwardly om opposite longitudinal edges of the strip between said knives and into coacting shearin relation with each stationary knife and a apted to;

sever said strip.

23. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a lurality of containers, means for applying ubricant to one end of eachcontamer, means for feedinig-an elon ted strip of material across sai ends an into engagement therewith, a pair of longitudlnally curved stationary knives di above and extending across the stri material, the central portions of sai knives belng from but disposed adjacent each 0t awa from each other and a pair of cutting bla es adapted to coaet with each stationary knife.

24. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of tubular containers, a pair of longitudinally curved stationary knives osed above and extending across the strip of material, the central portions of said knives being spaced from but disposed adjacent each other and the end portions diverging away from each other and a pair of cutting blades adapted to coact with each stationary knife.

25. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means air of er and the end portions diverging.

for feeding an elongated strip of material into contact with the tops of said containers and mechanism including stationary knives above the strip and blades movable upwardly between adjacent containers for severing said strip of material.

26. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, means including a stationary knife and a movable blade for severing said material at each side of each container, and means for holding the material against the tops of the containers during the severing operation.

27. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends" of a plurality of containers, means including a stationary knife and a movable blade for severing said material at each side of eachcontainer, and intermittentl operating means for holdin the materi against the tops of the contalners during the severing operation.

' 28. In combination, means for f an elongated stri ofmaterial across the en of a plurality o containers, means including a stationary knife and a movable blade or severing said material at each side of each container, and means for holding the material against the tops of the containers between which the strip is being severed durration.

ing the severing o 29. In combinat ign, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, means including a stationary knife and a movable blade for severing said material at each side of each container, and presser feet for holdin the material against the tops of the containers du the severi operation.

combina t m, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, a pair of tionary knives supported aboveand extending across said strip, a pair of blades movable u 'wardl into coacting shearing relation with eac stationary knife and a a ted to sever said strip, and means for hol the material against the tops of the con tainers during the severing operation.

31. In combination, means for feeding an elongated strip of material across the ends of a plurality of containers, a pair of stationary knives supported above and extending across said strip, a pair of blades movable upwardly from opposite longitudinal ed of the strip into coacting shearing relation with each stationary knife and ada ted to sever said strip, and means for hol ing the material against the tops of the containers during the severing operation.

32. In combination, means for feeding an of stationary knives supported above an ex- III tending across said strip, a pair of resilient blades movable upwardly between said knives and into coacting shearing relation with each stationar knife and adapted to sever said strip, an means for holdm the material against the tops of the containers during the severing operation.

33. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means for feeding an elongated strip of material into contact with the tops of said containers, mechanism including stationary knives above the strip and blades movable between adjacent containers for severing said strip of material, and means operable during the o eration ofth'e movable blades for holding t e material against the tops of the containers during the severing operation.

34. In combination, means for supporting and feeding a plurality of containers, means for feeding an elongated strip of material into contact with the tops of said containers, mechanism including stationary knives above the strip and blades movable'between adjacent containers for severing said strip of material, and intermittently operating means operable during the operation of the movable blades for holding the material against the tops of the containers during the severing operation.

35. A method of sealing the ends of containers which consists of feeding a plurality of containers with their upper ends in alinement, applying lubricant to the tops of said containers, feeding a continuous strip of sealing material along the tops of said containers, holding the strip against the tops of adjacent containers, and severing the strip between said adjacent containers.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN VAN BUREN. 

